The Confederation Era Chapter 8, Section 1

Forming a New Government After America won the Revolutionary War, they began to establish 13 different state governments. American leaders felt strongly that they needed to exercise control over their government. Decided upon a republic- a country which the people choose their representatives to govern them. Constitution – a document that sets out the laws and principles of a government. Execute – to carry out a law.

The Articles of Confederation The Continental Congress eventually created a plan- the Articles of Confederation. In the Articles, the national gov’t would be run by a legislative body- the Confederation Congress. Had power to: 1. wage war 2. make peace 3. sign treaties 4. issue money Each state had only one vote in Congress. Most important powers were left to the states. Included- Setting taxes & and enforcing national laws. Also gave individual control of the western lands.

The Articles are Ratified The Continental Congress passed the Articles of Confederation in November 1777. The Articles were then sent to the states for ratification. Eight states ratified the Articles, however smaller states argued over western land settlements. They wished for western expansion to be controlled by the national gov’t.

State Constitutions Lead the Way 1777- Continental Congress established the Articles of Confederation, the 1st American Constitution Gave more power to the states; weak central government Most colonists were more loyal to their state than to the nation They considered themselves “Virginians”, or “New Yorkers”, not “Americans”

Land Ordinance of 1785 Ordinance- set up a system for surveying (measuring) and setting the Northwest Territory.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Set up a government for the Northwest Territory. Guaranteed basic rights to settlers. Outlawed slavery. Once a territory had 60,000 free settlers, it could ask Congress to be admitted as a new state. Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin were created from the Northwest Territory.

What might be some of the challenges of governing such a large territory?

Early Problems The Confederation Congress was too weak to deal with most national issues. Individual states had more power than Congress. 9 out of 13 states had to approve before laws were passed. Congress could not regulate trade between states, or trade between states and foreign countries. Congress did not have the power to tax (so they had no $$$!). No president to carry out laws! Each state coined their own money, and would not accept money from other states. America was in debt due to the Revolutionary War. New Hampshire and New York both claimed Vermont.

Shay’s Rebellion Massachusetts raised taxes and seized (took over) the homes and farms of citizens who could not pay. Farmers became upset! Daniel Shays, a Massachusetts farmer, organized an uprising of 2,000 farmers. Led a march to capture a federal arsenal which was filled with weapons.